'You never think about this moment like that': Steve Foley reflects on his historic career after Ring of Fame election

May 31, 2024 at 10:52 AM

Ben Swanson

Digital Media Contributor/Manager of Photography

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sticky fingers can sometimes get you into a lot of trouble, and sometimes they can get you out of it.

Newly elected Ring of Famer Steve Foley can certainly attest to that.

The former college quarterback-turned-defensive back was thrown into the fire in his rookie season when veteran cornerback Calvin Jones suffered a knee injury during a Week 8 game against the Raiders. Foley, a backup safety, was the emergency substitution. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler and wideout Fred Biletnikoff quickly took advantage with a 31-yard score on the young defender.

Two weeks later, defensive coordinator Joe Collier told Foley he would be in the starting lineup facing another future Hall of Fame quarterback: Chargers star Dan Fouts.

"He says, 'You're going to start against Dan Fouts and the Chargers," Foley recalled on Thursday. "And I'm like, 'OK. At corner?' And he says, 'By the way, he's going to come at you. You're a rookie, [cornerback] Louis [Wright] is fairly established. … He's not going to go at Louis.' And I was like, 'Phew, OK.' Nothing like a little pressure."

Foley responded well, even in spite of particularly challenging circumstances. A Broncos turnover put the Chargers deep in Denver territory in the first quarter, but Foley picked off Fouts at the 5-yard line to prevent a scoring opportunity and spark a touchdown drive.

In the fourth quarter, Fouts again aimed in Foley's direction, this time looking for six points. Foley secured his second interception of the day in the end zone.

After the 17-0 shutout, Foley and Collier each were given game balls, and Foley also received a starting role for good.

"I remember Joe saying, 'That's your position,'" Foley said. "Game ball and we won that game. And I was like, 'Phew.' It very easily could have been two touchdowns the other way. You know Dan Fouts and those receivers, they were great. Things happen for a reason, and I'm thankful."

Over his 11-year career, Foley became a staple on the dominant Orange Crush defense, with timely interceptions as his calling card, whether at cornerback or free safety. From 1978-84, Foley logged five seasons with at least five interceptions. By the time he finished his career, he was the franchise's all-time leader in interceptions with 44.

That record still stands today, which is particularly impressive when you consider the caliber of defensive backs that have played in Denver over the years, including Champ Bailey, Goose Gonsoulin and so many other greats.

"People say, 'Oh, with free agency, it's not going to get broken,'" Foley said. "It'll get broken, maybe. Records are made to be broken."

Beyond the individual success, Foley was important to the team's rapid rise into Super Bowl contention. In 1977, Foley's first season as a full-time starter, the Broncos won their first division title and conference championship en route to a Super Bowl XII appearance. Denver earned five more postseason berths and made another Super Bowl before Foley's retirement, but the first postseason run still holds a special place in his heart.

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) looks on from the sideline during a game. Photo by Glenn Asakawa

Glenn Asakawa

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) returns an interception 15 yards during an NFL game against the New England Patriots in Denver, Sept. 28, 1986 The Broncos defeated Patriots 27-20. (Score). (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)

Eric Lars Bakke

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) and linebacker Rick Dennison (55) take down Green Bay Packers tight end Paul Coffman (82) during an NFL game in Denver, Colo., Oct. 15, 1984. The Broncos defeated the Packers 17-14 in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)

Vernon Biever

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) and cornerback Louis Wright (20) bring down Browns running back Kevin Mack (34) during the Broncos 23-20 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns in the 1986 AFC Championship Game on January 11, 1987 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)

Al Messerschmidt Archive

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) gets set for the snap during the NFL football game against the New York Jets on Oct. 20, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won the game 22-10. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

Paul Spinelli

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Defensive back Steve Foley, defensive end Brison Manor, linebacker Bob Swenson and the rest of the defense huddle up during a snowy day at Mile High Stadium.

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Steve Foley

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) scores on a 22-yard fumble recovery seconds into an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Denver, Colo., Oct. 15, 1984. The Broncos defeated the Packers 17-14 in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)

Vernon Biever

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Steve Foley cuts with the play.

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Steve Foley

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Steve Foley

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Steve Foley

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) looks to help tackle Dallas Cowboys running back Herschel Walker (34) during a game against the Dallas Cowboys on October 5, 1986 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Rod Hanna

Rod Hanna

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) defends on special teams against Raiders defensive back Odis McKinney during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders on October 28, 1984 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo by Rod Hanna

Rod Hanna

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Steve Foley

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) rests on the sideline during a game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.

Rod Hanna

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) looks on from the sideline during a game. Photo by Rod Hanna

Rod Hanna

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) helps make a tackle during a game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.

Glenn Asakawa

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) is mobbed by teammates, including linebacker Jim Ryan (50), after returning a fumble for an interception against the Green Bay Packers on October 15, 1984 at Mile High Stadium. Photo by Rod Hanna

Rod Hanna

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A headshot of Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley.

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) receives a phone call on the sideline during a game.

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) in action during a game.

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) and defensive back Perry Smith (45) defend against a Los Angeles Rams player during a preseason game at Mile High Stadium on August 23, 1980.

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Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) in action during a game.

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"I think the older you get, the sweeter it is," Foley said. "You realize that you were part of the beginning of championship football here that we've become so accustomed to here. It was a special time in Denver history. And it can't be replaced. It was Mile High Magic. It was magic here. I've never seen such a rabid group of fans, and finally something came to the middle of the country and they had to pay attention to us. And, of course, we had home-field advantage, we got to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of their four Super Bowls — right in the middle. We got to beat them at home and we got to beat the Oakland Raiders for the AFC Championship and a chance to go win a Super Bowl. Just a special time. Again, we had a special group of men."

Foley, who was notified of his Ring of Fame election by Owner & CEO Greg Penner on Thursday morning, said he was shocked by the news.

"What a great day for me," Foley said. "I woke up to a phone call from Greg Penner and did not expect that. I'm extremely humbled and honored to have this honor. I didn't even dream about these things when I was playing quarterback at Tulane. Never thought about defense."

To celebrate the honor, the Broncos welcomed Foley and much of his family to Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit. They watched practice from the sideline before Head Coach Sean Payton brought Foley into the team huddle to conclude the week of on-field work.

At the middle of the circle, Foley emphasized the lessons he learned from that special time in his career.

"When you play for the love of the game, you don't play for honors," Foley said he told the team. "You never think about this moment like that. But when you play for the love of the game and the love of your teammates, some amazing things happen. And if you're persevering enough, you will catch that lightning in a bottle that happens from that."

If there's one moment of sadness to it all, though, it's that the man who saw his potential as a defensive back isn't around to see it. Collier passed away on May 6.

"I just wish I could give Joe Collier a call," Foley said. "… He was an incredible coach and man and got the most out of us. He's just a special, special man. I just wish that I could have … said, 'Joe, another one of yours is in.'"

This fall, Foley will be honored alongside fellow Ring of Fame electee Riley Odoms and Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar during the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Raiders, and he'll be able to relive those memories with many of his teammates. The Broncos announced Thursday that the entire 1977 team will be recognized during Alumni Weekend festivities. For Foley, that may be the biggest treat of all.

"We played with a group of great guys," Foley said. "I want to thank guys like [Ring of Fame LB] Tommy Jackson, [Ring of Fame S] Dennis Smith, [Ring of Fame S] Billy Thompson, Barney Chavous and Rubin Carter. [Former Broncos DE] Lyle [Alzado] is no longer with us, but all of my teammates that I played with and of course Louis Wright. [Former Broncos S] Bernard Jackson was free safety there, [former Broncos S] Mike Harden, Dennis Smith and just an exceptional group of men. That's the biggest honor to me."

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Greg Penner talks with Steve Foley and his family after it was announced that Foley would be inducted into the Ring of Fame during OTAs at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit in Englewood, Colorado on May 30, 2024. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos